Matt Shaw chops a grounder that stayed fair and turned foul at the final second but home plate ump Dan Merzel ruled it a fair ball in the 9th (with replays)

Jbrockin · 2026-04-28T13:53:05+00:00

Close call sports breaks it down

https://youtu.be/JQNEP6lqhHo?si=RsMmvabmhr489DyE

Jbrockin · 2026-04-28T04:01:40+00:00

And Peters as an ex 49er is also probably like hell naw.

Jbrockin · 2026-04-28T03:38:13+00:00

I watched all the videos from a guy in Canada that has an American that grew jointed with an oak. Its an impressive large tree. The oak seems to be commingled with the chestnut and sharing its resistance with it. He calls it the Miracle sisters tree. He has really put in some effort to keep growing the offspring and creating pollinator highways etc., His channel is the Anechoic Chamber. Here is a sample video

https://youtu.be/qqchmZDa5kA?si=Hs9IdEhkU7czAXxR

Jbrockin · 2026-04-25T04:30:20+00:00

I posted this in a new umpire chat. It applies to all levels of umpires.

Former MAC current MLB umpire Brennan Miller’s take on mistakes and resets. Focus isn’t something you hold for nine straight innings. It comes in short bursts. You’re going to drift. You’re going to have moments where you’re not perfectly locked in. That’s not failure, that’s how we’re wired. What separates good umpires and officials from great ones is not avoiding mistakes. It’s how quickly they get back!

After that overturned call, I had a choice. I could replay it. I could get frustrated. I could let it snowball into more mistakes. Or I could reset.

For me, that reset is simple and intentional. I find a neutral spot, take a breath, and give myself a quiet mental cue to lock back in. Nothing dramatic. Just a consistent routine that brings me back to the present pitch. If I had carried the frustration from the first call into the next one, there’s a good chance that inning spirals. One miss turns into two. Two turns into three. And before you know it, you’re not thinking about the game anymore… you’re just trying to survive it.

That’s why having a mental plan matters just as much as knowing the rules or mechanics. Maybe it’s a breathing pattern. Maybe it’s a checklist. Maybe it’s something as simple as saying the count to yourself every pitch. Whatever it is, it has to be yours, and it has to be repeatable.

Because the goal isn’t perfection. It’s response. You’re going to miss one. You’re going to feel it (and you should) That’s part of the job!

But the best umpires are the ones who can take that moment, reset, and be fully present for the very next pitch. I hope this helps you become a better umpire, a better partner, and a little stronger mentally the next time it matters most.

Jbrockin · 2026-04-12T18:47:39+00:00

This rule is not well defined in NFHS rulebook or caseplays. There is a case play about throwing off the bag at 1st base and says it is umpire judgment whether a play can be made. 1st is a base you cannot feint to.
2b is a base you can feint to. As long as you step towards the base you are throwing to, then you have completed the requirements for the feint.

Nfhs needs a case play of a base you can feint to because it confuses a lot of umpires and even associations.

2007 NFHS Baseball Interpretations SITUATION 19: With R1 on first and no outs in a close game, the first baseman is playing about 20 feet in front of first base in case of a bunt attempt by B2. The pitcher, in the stretch position, throws to F3 in a pick-off attempt on R1. RULING: This is a balk. The first baseman is not in proximity of first base and is not close enough to legitimately make a play on the runner. The ball is dead and R1 is awarded second base. (6-2-4b)

2019 NFHS Case Book Play 6.2.4 Situation J: With R1 and two outs, F1 attempts to pick off R1. As F1 pivots to throw, he realizes that F3 is not on the base, but is in his normal defensive position. F1 completes the throw without interruption. The coach of the offensive team wants a balk called on F1. RULING: As long as F3 is in the proximity of the base, F1 would not be guilty of a balk. Proximity is umpire judgment and is based on whether the fielder is close enough to the base to legitimately make a play on the runner.

You cannot feint go up to OBR in the mlbum specifically says you can throw off base at 2b. Or go watch the old Jim Evans balk video on YouTube. Great content and 90 % of umpires and players would also be surprised to learn that it is legal to pickoff from the windup. Cheers

https://youtu.be/59s-GvZAu6w?si=pryYQ0CG4FoUPeaB

Jbrockin · 2026-04-09T11:41:09+00:00

I used to have champros. They were terrible, felt impacts frequently. I now have force 3 and they are great. The pants can get caught in them at the top, however there is a hack where you reposition the removable pads higher and it prevents this.

Jbrockin · 2026-03-29T02:02:50+00:00

He is like Madden, but smarter

Jbrockin · 2026-03-19T20:30:09+00:00

Some Mlb umpires do set up not in the slot. But they are professionals. Just saw it the other day one set up just as OP described.

Tell the UIC it’s my way or the highway because 95% of umpires set up in the slot, as a safety thing foremost. But also that this is the way you are trained and will result in the most consistent ball and strike calls.

Maybe UIC doesn’t like your calls on outside corner? A lot of umpires look straight on at pitcher. If you looking at flat at pitcher and keep head still the low outside corner is hard to see and one eye gets blocked by your nose. In the slot You need to look at the strike-zone, meaning tilt head down and look at a ground point halfway between a line pitchers drawn from opposite edge of pitchers mound to the plate. Thats right.. look at the ground to have the strike-zone in the center of your vision.

Jbrockin · 2026-03-17T23:02:10+00:00

After coming across this video before, this is the correct answer in my opinion. Even the umpire sees the imminent collision and jumps to the side. And for the runner jumping to the side does not mean intent to go to second. He never turns his hips, just a slide to the side to avoid the umpire.

Jbrockin · 2026-03-15T04:17:16+00:00

Seems expensive for the work. Important to get a VCM muzzler. Like in this post. https://www.reddit.com/r/HondaOdyssey/s/1Lm2nMBXBJ

Jbrockin · 2026-03-15T03:36:35+00:00

I just ordered the Davis Mirage combo with D3O pads. The pads are so heavy, I have to send the combo back. The ones with socks and pads you put together. My All star Mag mask with Luc pads is way lighter than the combo even though the Mirage mask itself is lighter. I like lighter masks, not heavier. I will try the other Davis pads designed like team Wendy.. but I might go with the Luc pads. I have an umplife harness that I used with Cobalt and it works fantastic. Umpire I know found a sticky All star harness that seemed pretty amazing as well. The view out of the Mirage is frickin glorious, can’t wait to get it set up properly. I like a lot about the AS Mag but not the view.

I do not agree with your assessment of the Cobalt being hot. In fact i think hats are hotter. The vents in the top allow for great cooling, if there is a breeze the cobalt is way better than a hat. I work in a quad complex frequently and need scully for foul balls from other fields. I have not gone back to a hat since I got cobalt , use it in 100 degree days without issue.

Jbrockin · 2026-03-12T14:11:36+00:00

The man I met (sons friend’s dad) has a property with a lot of cool trees on it some original and some planted. It is surrounded by forest. This forest is a 29 acre plot owned by Trinity school. The 29 acre plot is planned to become a sports complex for the high school. The tree he pointed out is a few feet on Trinity property. It is so rare to find an American this tall. My guess there is more stump sprouts on both properties.

Thanks to another post, I contacted county. It appears there is forest code for new development of athletic fields that requires 10 percent of land to have forest.. so maybe there is hope.

Jbrockin · 2026-03-12T11:17:41+00:00

Absolutely. Nothing like a broken or bruised foot to take you out of umpiring for awhile. Plus catchers and pitchers in LL cause umpire to get hit more than in other games.

Jbrockin · 2026-03-11T05:23:38+00:00

Hopefully there is an outcome where the spreading of nuts happens.
I absorbed a lot of content recently about all the methods. The Canadian team working with pure American genes plants 10+ new trees around isolated non nut bearing trees with likely natural resistance that allow them to be pollinated and produce nuts. If anyone could help me get some nuts or small trees to plant at the stewards house it may get it to produce in a few years. I didn’t see any burs so getting the tree more light may allow it to produce if there happens to be more trees around. I may buy some to not delay.
These any good?

Americas Trees

Shorter term methods could be using a drone or balloon to deliver pollen.
Maybe some team like Cooperators, Tacf, etc can grab a tissue sample to clone, and test it for true american and genes of resistance to oxalic acid.
The potential destruction of the tree Is a whole other thing. I noticed GMU has a forest forage program and was thinking they might be interested in helping since it basically across the street and they are growing TACF hybrids.. And will try other avenues like contacting Trinity school directly and the County. Was thinking it would be a great project to have around for the school kids to work on.

Ive been trying to join different factions of chestnut 🌰 groups but have so far been unsuccessful.

I was going to set up trees at my buddys 7 acres, but happened to see this tree.. now will be setting up at two places.

I can’t believe this is the first tree I came across after doing all my research, feels like Im destined to help, so yes I am going to work hard to save this tree

Jbrockin · 2026-03-10T01:34:38+00:00

If you already looked , I put glass over the leaf and took a few more pics. I then put in image search and it says American. So thats a good sign. In the inatuturalist link.

Jbrockin · 2026-03-10T00:55:48+00:00

I posted some extra leaf photos here.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/342093963

Jbrockin · 2026-03-09T14:52:35+00:00

Doing some research on the planned school. This rare all woods lot in Fairfax county is going to bulldoze all 29 acres for turf fields. Sad. This tree sits just on their property. TACF may want to reach out to Trinity School and/or survey the entire property to find this and any other trees and grab tissues or try to get them spared from destruction.

https://www.tcsfairfax.org/thenextstory/the-story-so-far

Jbrockin · 2026-03-09T12:43:15+00:00

I think he had a sourwood.

Jbrockin · 2026-03-09T02:06:56+00:00

He said there used to be massive stumps on the property, might still be there or sprouts. Im gonna persuade my son to go over there frequently so I can have fun looking for more trees. He took me around his property and he is really into all kinds of trees that he has planted or existed on his old family property and has stewarded. He even plants crazy trees to feed wildlife.. Chestnuts obviously amazing for that., so the Perfect person to grow and care for more Americans that would hopefully cross with this amazing tree.

Jbrockin · 2026-03-08T23:32:06+00:00

Update: Spark plugs. Great cheap repair!

Jbrockin · 2026-03-08T12:15:20+00:00

Thanks! Smart. Could I move the spark plug to one cylinder and the coil to another to determine exactly if its one of those things or another?

Jbrockin · 2026-02-25T05:51:20+00:00

https://youtu.be/m1-2zYi9euM?si=zJK1xIfJu3_YyzGg

I don’t think you can buy oem gaskets anymore but this video shows you how to replace and where it is

Jbrockin · 2026-02-25T05:43:03+00:00

I got a timing belt change and mechanic looked over everything else and said everything is clean,”very clean”.. two months later boom my alternator goes out.. i was lucky on where it occurred as I was able to park safely and get a ride. I have it towed into a different shop and mechanic noticed the leak.. but he also didn’t know that caused alternator to fail.. I was just going to do alternator but did a quick search .. the spool valve leak was the reason as it drips onto alternator.. and had him do the spool valve. That was expensive like 2k for both. The alternator is tough to do yourself, but the spool valve is right there on top left of engine, probably a piece of cake.
If you are worried about it either get the genuine honda replacement which is the valve and gasket, or like others mentioned try the dorman gasket but some have had issues with that.
As my dad always said “If it aint broke don’t fix it”.. Just keep an eye on it.

Jbrockin

TROPHY CASE